Self-balanced quilting machine



16, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 W. H. MAY

Filed April SELF BALANCED QUILTING MACHINE HHIHI HHHH Y mm

Nov. 28, 1933.

INVENTOR BY 14 0! far /7. May

ATTORNEY Nov. 28, 1933. w MAY SELF BALANCED QUILTING MACHINE Filed April 16, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 z m 9 u r I k 0 M w s w n m o: o N: I mfl M i 5%., w M mm m W v m mm W m 2 M, n mg g m a c n. T K g Y 1 ON; 3 w w o F U 5 Q 0 P M N. ow 2L .5 T a Q ow, I a J. 1? 09 0 J a H .AWVV ON; N. \r 3 g .1 H .AWH I W w Nov. 28, 1933. w. H. MAY

SELF BALANCED QUILTING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 16, 1930 Eda-A.

M vl unuuuuv INVENTOR Wa/fer H May ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 28, 1933 1,937,491 I v p SELF-BALANCED QUILTING MACHINE Walter H. May, Pelham ManoryN- Y assignor to Carlin Comforts, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application April 16, 1930. .Serial No felih'il?) 1 Claims. (01. 112-117) v This invention relates .to a machinefor sewing irregular and perhaps intricate and fancy designs in a fabric.

It is especially adapted forflsewing quilts or 5 comforters which are usually madeup of two layers of woven fabric such as silk, imitation silk,

or cotton with a filler in between.

It is an object of this invention to produce a machineupon which a full size quilt may be placed and the surface of the quilt brought into cooperative relationship with the operating head of a sewing machine to cause the stitching to follow any predetermined design.

It is also an object to produce such a machine which is readily adjustable to accommodate quilts of various sizes and it is a further and final object to produce these desirable results with a mechanism which, is reliable, economical to operate and. manufacture and compact in struc-' ture despite the fact that itis capable of handling standard sized quilts. r

Further features and objects of this invention will be more fully understood fromthe following detailed description of the accompanying. draw ings, in which v Fig. -1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying my, invention. V

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same machine illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation taken through 3-3 of Fig. 2. I v l Fig. 4 is a section taken through 4-4 of Fig. Fig. 5 is a section taken through 5-5 of Fig. Fig. 6 is asection taken through 6- -6 of Fig.- Fig. '7 is a section taken through 7-7 of Fig. and

'- Fig. 8 is-a section taken through 8-8 of Fig. .Viewing the drawings and especially Figs. 2 and 4, the frame is illustrated as made'up end members 1 and 2 comprising horizontal pieces 3 and 4 andvertical pieces 5, 6, '7, 8 and 9. As here illustrated, these end members are cast in one; piece, preferably of a malleable iron or steel casting. The base portion of the end members are connected together by tie rods 10 and 11 and the upper-ends of the end members are connected together by a channel member 13. Intermediate the tie rods and the channel member is a supporting channel 15 and a track member of 'T-shaped cross section illustrated at '17. An

auxiliary supporting plate is illustrated at and serves to support the rear or drive end of the sewing machine which will, be described in detail hereafter. A. supportingI plate 21 disposed immediately below the supporting plate for the sewing machine is adapted'to su port anelectricmortor.22 and these plates are joined together by-a strut 23 and also joined atthe left'ends thereof as viewed in Fig. 1. to theframeworkthus pro; viding a strong and rigid SllpPOI'l'lfOlhthGSGWh-f machine and a motor drive therefon, The sewing machine equipmentis similar to the standard sewing machine,-except however that the sewing head lSjSpaCd. from the drive or fly wheel end of the machine and, of course, i like manner spacethe'the spindle operating mecha nisin and dog feed from the drive or flywheel-end of the machine. Inasmuchas the sewing machine per se is of standard construction'except for the spacing-of the elements thereof, it isnot believed that'itis necessary to describe itin detail andso onlya brief description will be .given.;

The rear fly wheel or driving portion of the machine isshown at with the usual flywheel v31 and pulley 32 attached and adapted to be connected-to electric motor;;2 2 bymeans Piia belt 33. g-Ajshaft35 connects the drive end of the sewing machine; to the sewing head illustrated at 36 and it has been found-.adv-isable, to.equip this shaft with anintermediate beari shown a at order to do.

It should be noted at: this point t hat ,tiieswing head 36 is positioned-at-substantially;-;the. mid-point of the maingframework for reasons which-will be made clear hereinafter.

The spindle operating mechanism and the: dog

feed which co-operat'es withthe pressure foot'is' I driven from the driving head 30 through'shaft's 9 3 9 and 40 illustrated in Fig. 3. f Asupporting -plate,immediately below the presser foot is illustrated at 41 and hasfan arcuate shapein order, that it may :conform to;;the

shape of the quilt as disposed upon thering frame. o y

.. The motor 22 is of the standard variable speed type which is commonly'used for drivingisewing" machines and is controlled by. a footltreadle ,42 I

(Fig. i) pivotally secured:iat' .43 to*rockrshaft=4 ,4 .10 which is adaptedto oscillate with-the; treadle and which-in turn is connected byiyagsuitable 1inkage,as shown at 45' and 46,t0;a variable speed control mechanism 50, with theresult. that'an operator. standing beforethe machine rnay,'.; by the proper manipulation of Qt-r'eadle lZcontrol the speed of the sewingmachine mounted on;;the top of the frame;

A' revolvable frameworklupon which the quiltor comforter to -b e.-- sewed. is mounted is. adapted 11 to slide longitudinally of the framework and at turn is' adapted. toslide longitudinally of the framework along'r raili17; Thessleevefi l is supportedi byea pair.:of-.-y0,kes :andififirwhichncarry axles 57 and 58 respectively, upon which pulleys 59 and 60 are freely rotatable. Thesepulleys inn "and squeezed upwardly toward the member 94. Neareachend of the rod 97 is disposed a pin '107"a-nd lil8-adapted to engage a series of holes drilled through the periphery of each of the rings turn engage one edge of the T-rail 17 at 7 slots: 61 and 62 cut through the sleeve 53.,

As illustrated in Fig. 5, the pulieys are owh with V-shaped notched facestfifii adapted toenea e the uppe d ithe-vertically is osed; The T-rail 17 is beveled; to form an angle cemplemental to and adapted 'An auxil- Web of the T-rail 17.

to fit within the V-shaped notch 66; iary T-rail 67 is disposed above andy inpara llel relation to the main supporting T-rail l7 and is 'furn-ished fon the purpose ofrproducingiadditional stabil'ityfifor-the I quilt carrying frame. :This '=T- rail is supported from mainchannel- 15 by suitable=-brackets illustrated at 267'. s'Rulleys 63 upiamsuitablesupporting-warms 692 attached to tubular membereengageand-co-operate-withthe T' rail fi -topreventan upward movement -ef the main frame. "are adapted tobe joined: together by a telescoping -menlber= illustratedin detail-- in: Fig. :7 and shown in'--section- Fi-g, i whieh I 1 have numbered 70. Each "ringi-is equipped --wit-h =an arm- '71- (Figu) and one member, such as the internalzmember 570a o'f-theQ telescoping; connectinglink 70; is conneeted -to one arm and-the other a member, that is *the extern-alfmember wb is'econnected :to the other arm.- =Set -screw 72- isadapted-to lock the complemental membersmf v the-telescoping -ac1- a iiiistirig e ltogether; At-75= in--Fig. -4'isillustrated 1-a ceuiterweight -to balanee the weight of :arm i 1 and the parts connected thereto sol that the ringswill -be in perfect balance-and will-not tend toerotatei e matter what position they are left in.

';-Anedditi onal support 'for the -Tmember 17 is 1 furnished immediately belowthesewingmachine headefer the purpose o'f' -main'taining a constant d-istanee b'etweemthee sewing mechanism -and the T-shaped rail 1'7. This additional support'is showndnedetail in Fig. *5 andcomprisesa: U- -shaped meinber cc nineetedat 1 the upper ends thereof --to ehanne1-" 15'and 'adapted to' hang therefrom and having an adjusting screw 1 8'1 at'the-lowerend thereof with-alocking nut' 82 ethe rail 17;"

V andyso'fdisposed -relative m -sleeve 54 -and'T-rail i T' as l-t'o passupwardly nthrough a' slot- 83 "(Fig 3) inthe sleeve 54 -and -engagethe lower :side of- T-rail -l'l to-support the same and prevent undue sagitherein because of the weightgof the f ramework and comforter which is 3 supported by H A mechanism is provided to co-operate :with -the:ringed {framework and is adapted to enable .an---operatorto rotate thefrarheworls and at the same timeto move it longitudinallyback and =forth-along the T'-rail. "This mechanism is illustrated in -Fig s'rl', 2,3,4 and,8,-and comprises-two --arms 90,' 91.,pivoted'atthe centers thereof upon -sleeve- 54 as shown at 92 and-93 respectively,

and 'adapted -to freely rotate'on sleeve '54. The upper ends of these arms are connected together by an adjustable-telescoping member 94 comprising an inner-and an outer tube illu'strated'at 94a and 941) respectively and adapted to'be locked together bylock nut 95. Attached ;to and depending from member '94 in parallel relationship co operation of the indexing pins '10? and amends-.53; %SShOWIl in Figs. -1, 2 and 3, for in- ,stance, :at.;109'.1 When rod 97 is squeezed upwardvlyitoward telescoping member 54, pins 107 and 108 will-become disengaged from the holes in the periphery of the rings and when released the member 9'7 will be forced downwardly by the springs-1B0, '101::a-nd 1 02, so that'itthe spins will I be forced intov engagement -withiitherholes;tonrthe rings. The opposite ends of arms .and. i91::are connected-bye telescoping..-=member2110 hich is equipped with counterweights' 1- IL-andi 1 1'2; fur 1; nished 1 to r balance the? indexing mechanismzaso that it may be readilyi-toperatediwithla: minimum of physical effort. Y A r Y "The sleeve- 54: is;-: equipped-with:a:pair;iofnadiust+ I ablecollarsill5, 116 (l lig's3) adapted; to maintain the: indexing =rnembers and J the rings-ei inetheir proper relative position; ."These' icollar-Is. hare equipped with setscrews'i 11 7 and" 11:8:sozthat: they mayFbesecurely locked' to the 'sleevelfi l, 1

The periphery of each: of-thel ringsiszequippe'd with a series of clamps, oneeoffzwhich i is 31111115 trated in- -detail'- in Fig. 9 6- and lwhich; comprises a --cla=mpihgfinger 1 20 urged -downwardlykinto clamping contact 'with thevperiphery of rthe ring I by -means' of-a spring l2l, Theclampingiportions 1 of these fingers are equipped with -emryccloth amend paper illustrated at 122 andiini-likemian- 'ner' the-periphery of the ring :which isaaadapted toco-operate with :the- -clamping 'fingers =is equipped with emery cloth as shown- -at l23 Eaehrihg is equipped-witha series off-these clamps around the periphery thereofwand fthe clamps are' so positionedrelative to the indexing holes that they do not interfere with the proper with the indexing holes. l I 'f operation -a'c'omforter CLlpOn WhiGh'iiit is des'ired-tdsew a fancy design is secured torthe periphery 'of the --rin'gs by =-means I of the spring we operated clamping fingers-120; I This m ay becac- 1' complished by first adjusting the spacing ofiithe preferablyput under a slightltensiorr in order to I rotate the ring-like frameabout the":'lerai1 a's rings-relative to each otherandithenssubsequenb ly securing thexcornforteri to. the :peripheryihereof where: it maybe securely attached with theraid of the -ernery cloth and cl'amping zfing-ersiand i1 a center with the aidof the' mechanism provided to cooperate i with the ring frameworkgandfiatrthe same time slide the rings longitudinallyl of ithe frameworkof-the machine along. the track-"17mmtilthe desired point -is brought under-the sewing machine} then the sewing machineiis'started "1'45 and the operator may 'followout any predeterthe sleeve 54. In this manner, a complete universal movement is accomplished and an entire comforter which is a large and unwieldy article is quite readily moved'around under the sewing machine head in order that any predetermined path of stitching may be followed.

Whereas I have described the invention by sewing machine, a hollow open frame for supporting an article to be sewed, said open frame comprising circular members adjustably spaced apart from each other, a fixed single trackway disposed substantially axially, of said circular members, a tubular member enclosing said single trackway, means carried thereby engaging the trackway to permit axial movement of the tubular member, and said open frame rotatably mounted on said tubular member.

2. In a machine of the character described, a sewing machine, an open frame for supporting an article to be sewed, said open frame comprising circular members adjustably spaced apart from each other, bearings in the axes of said circular members, a trackway extending through said bearings, and means for rotatably supporting said open frame on said trackway, whereby said frame may be at will rotated and/or dis' placed in an axial direction.

3. In a machine of the character described, a sewing machine, an open frame for supporting an article to be sewed, said open frame comprising circular members provided with radial- -ly extending elements, bearings secured to the said elements in the axis of the circular members, means for spacing the circular'members apart from and parallel to each other, a stationary trackway extending through said bearings, and means for rotatively supporting said open frame on said trackway, whereby said frame may be at willrotated and/or displaced in an axial direction.

4. In a machine of the character described, a

sewing machine, an open frame for supporting an article to be sewed, said open frame comprising circular members spaced apart from each other, a trackway extending through the axis of said open frame, a tubular shaft mounted for axial movement on said trackway, said open frame rotatably mounted on said shaft, and frame position regulating means securedto said open frame and extending radially from.

the frame beyond the supported article.'

5. In a machine of the character described, a sewing machine, an open frame for supporting an article to be sewed, said open frame comprising spaced circular members in axial alignment witheach other, a hearing at the axis of each circular member, a tubular shaft on which said open frame is rotatably mounted, a trackway extending through the axis of said tubular shaft, connecting means between the trackway and shaft permitting axial movement of the shaft, on the trackway, article holding means arranged at intervals about the periphery of each cir-' cular member, and frame position regulating means connected to said bearings and extending radially beyond the supported article;-

'WALTER' MAY; 

